Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 14.djvu/256

NJEVXXS. 218 NAGASAKI. NiEVUS (Lat., mole, wart, birth-mark), or BiKTii -MAiiK. Mother's Makk. A congenital mark upon the skin consisting of the pioiluct of excessive development of fibrous tissue, liair, blood-vessels, or pigment in a circumscribed area. The term is generally and jjerliaps more properly limited to a variety of angioma, or vascular tumor, usually of small size, composed of en- larged capillaries which communicate freely with other capillaries of the skin. The ordinary form of lucvus is the rasculosus. Tliis is present at birth or appears during tlic early months of the child's life, presenting itself as a red stain, or a diffuse fiat patch, somewhat elevated above the surrounding surface. It may be a punctate spot, or may cover the side of the face, or even the neck aiid chest, for example. This variety is called 'port-wine mark.' 'wine stain,' iache de feu, or Feuermal. The nwviis aranciis or 'spider cancer" is not a cancer, but an angioma, consisting of a central elevated red point from which radiate dilated vessels so that there is a rough resemblance to a star. It is conunonly single and occurs usually in children of about a year or two years old, and is generally situated on the noseor cheeks. The nopvi of vascular variety are found in the papillary layer of the upper part of the corium. and consist of irregularly intertwined and dilated capillary vessels of new growth with free anastomosis. In some there is a layer of connective tissue found encircling the vessels, or an enormous growth of connective tissue, so that the result may resemble ele- phantiasis (q.v.). The treatment for the re- moval of na'vi is surgical. Excision with the knife, ligature, transfixion of the growth with a cataract needle, comjjression by means of pads retained in place with a rubber band, chemical caustics, such as nitric acid or the acid nitrate of mercury, multiple linear scarification, clectropiuiclure, and electrolysis are the means employed, the last named being the best method of ])rocedure. Vaccination directly upon the na?vus is an obsolete means of removal. Port- wine marks may be removed by creating several minute cicatrices with the electric needle. En- tire removal of an elevated mass may be effected by electrolysis, as in the case of a tumor (q.v.). NAFA, nii'fa. NABA, or NAVA. A seaport on the western coast of the island of Okinawa, in the Loo-ehoo group, .Jai)an (Map: .fapan. H 7). It is the principal seaport of the group, and exports sugar, cotton, and silk to Japan. Pop- ulation, in 1S98. 35.4.5.3. NAFELS, na'fels. A village in the Canton of Glarus. Switzerland, on the Linth, four miles by rail north of the city of Glarus (Map: Switzerland. D 1). It was the scene of a famous battle, in 1388, in which l.iOO natives defeated an .Austrian force of four limes their nimber. The aiuiiversary of this battle, which freed the canton from the Austrian yoke, is still cele- brated. Population, in inoo", 2r)00. NAFTIA, niif't.*-!!, Laoo, or L.go pei P.lici. A sMiall lake in Sicily, near Palagonia. in the Province of f'atania. It is situated in a )dain, near craggv' hills, in an ancient crater, about 100 meters in diameter. At several points the water bubbles violently, sometimes rising to the height of two feet or more under the pressure of the outpouring of carbonic acid gas. The water is greenish, or turbid, and has an odor of naphtha. The atmosphere is fatal to birds attempting to fly across the .surface of the lake, and to small animals which approach it to satisfy their tliirst ; while to lean over it is believed to produce dizziness and headache in man. The ancients regaided these phenomena with gieat dread. Here were worshiped by the Siculi, the pre-Greek inhabitants of the island, a pair of chthonic gods of mighty power, called commonly by the Romans Palici (Gk. voXikoI). In the great servile revolt against Rome (B.C. 104) the temple was the centre of the conspira- tors. Consult Freeman, History of Sicily, I. (O.xford, 1891). NAGA, nii'ga (Skt.. serpent). In Hindu mytholog;i-. a member of a fabulous race of semi- divine siM-pents with human faces, but reptile forms, inluibiting the lower world, where their capital, Bhogavati, was a scene of magnificence and splendor. Sesha. the sacred serpent of Vishnu, was their king. The name Nflga was applied also to an actual race of people in Central India. ])erha])s so called from their worship of serpents, and this ])eople has left historical traces, although fable and myth doubtless become mi.xed in allusions to the serjient race. NAGA. A town of Cebi'i. Philippines, on the east coast, 11 miles southwest of Cebi'i. It is a ])ort of call for steamers and coasting vessels. Pojiulation. in 1890. 1.5.093. NAGANAj na-gii'na. A disease of live stock prevalent in South Africa, caused by parasitic H;ematozoa. which are carried from a diseased animal to a healthy one by the tsetse-fly (q.v.). NAGANO, na-gil'no. An inland city of Hon- do. .Japan. al)out 9.5 miles south-southwest of Xiigata (.Map: .lapan. F H) . It is celebrated principally for the Buddhist Temjile of Zenkoji. one of the uiost famous temples in Japan, founded in the latter part of the seventh century. The town is visited by many i)ilgrims, and carries on a considerable trade in textiles and woven goods. Population, in 1898, 31.319. NAGARJUNA, nji-gar'jno-ni. or NAGASl- NA, nii'gii-sri'na. A great Buddhist sage and teacher, the founder of the Madhyaniika School of Xorthern Buddhism, also famous because of his religious conference or discussion with the Gra-co-Bactrian King ^Menander or Jlilinda (q,v.). NAGAS, na'gaz- T'"' natives of the Xaga Hills in Southeastern Assam. The Xagas of ilanipur and the mountains extending to the north (Patkoi, Barai) of this country seem to l>e Indonesians, more or less pure, while on the Lushai Hills, south of Manipur. are probably Xa- gas mixed with Kyens and liurmese of .rakan. The Xagas live in permanent villages, the head-men of which hold their power largely by the exercise of sacer<lotal functions. ^Marriage is exogamous, with paternal relationship. Many interesting taboos and kindred iisages are in vogue. The Xag;is are best subdivided into the Angami and Kanpui of the west, who wear a petticoat or apr<in. the Lhota and Hot in the centre, who wear a plaid, ami the Xangta. or naked, in the east. Consult Hodson. "The Xative Trilies of IManipur." in the Joiininl of thr Anihrnpniopical listiliilr ( London. 1001 ). NAGASAKI. nii'g;'i-sa'kiV The capital of an important prefecture of the same name and one of the principal seaports of Japan, situated